Certificate For Completion Of Internship Template for Germany

A Certificate For Completion Of Internship (Praktikumszeugnis) is a legally required document that you must provide to interns upon completion of their internship under German employment law. This certificate serves as formal proof of the internship period and provides a comprehensive evaluation of the intern's performance, skills, and contributions to your organization.

When do you need this document?

You need to issue this certificate whenever an internship concludes, whether completed successfully or terminated early. German law requires employers to provide this documentation for all types of internships, including voluntary internships, mandatory university internships, and vocational training internships. The certificate must be issued promptly upon request, typically within two weeks of the internship's end date. You also need this document when interns specifically request written confirmation of their work experience for future job applications or academic requirements.

Key legal considerations

Your certificate must adhere to the German legal principle of "qualified job references" which requires truthfulness, clarity, and benevolence. You cannot include negative statements that could harm the intern's future prospects, but you must remain factually accurate. The document should use standardized German employment reference language that potential employers will understand. You must avoid discriminatory language under the Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz (AGG) and ensure data protection compliance under DSGVO. The certificate should include specific details about tasks performed, skills demonstrated, and overall performance using recognized evaluation phrases that convey appropriate performance levels without being explicitly negative.

Legal requirements in Germany

Under § 109 Gewerbeordnung (GewO) and § 630 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB), you have a legal obligation to provide this certificate upon request. The document must include the intern's personal details, precise internship duration, company information, detailed role description, and performance evaluation. For paid internships covered under Mindestlohngesetz (MiLoG), you must accurately reflect the nature of the working relationship. The Nachweisgesetz (NachwG) requires documentation of essential employment conditions, which extends to internship arrangements. Your certificate must be issued on company letterhead, signed by authorized representatives, and dated. The language must be professional and use standard German employment reference terminology that complies with established legal precedents for job references.